The 2010 Bac Ninh Festival kicked off at the Kinh Bac Cultural Center in northern Bac Ninh Province April 17.
The five-day event comprises an incense-offering ceremony at Do Temple, the Bac Ninh Trade and Tourism Fair, a provincial Social and Economic Achievements Exhibition, and the 20th annual Quan Ho singing contest.
Other activities include water puppetry shows, wrestling matches, badminton games, a dove releasing ceremony, and other cultural and art performances.
On the opening day, the festival also featured a ceremony to highlight the fact that Quan Ho Bac Ninh (traditional romantic folk singing) and Ca Tru (ceremonial singing) have been recognized by UNESCO as a World Intangible Cultural Heritage.
During the event, UNESCO chief representative in Hanoi, Katherine Muller Marin, handed the official certificate to Bac Ninh Province Party Secretary Nguyen Cong Ngo.
A 15-minute fireworks performance was also held to the delight of visitors.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the festival, National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong said that with the UNESCO recognition, Quan Ho Bac Ninh and Ca Tru will be officially acknowledged and preserved for their unique cultural significance.
This is a great source of pride not only for Bac Ninh Province but also for the entire country, he said.
